Circuit Attorney News & Updates

Language from the Probable Cause Statement: "The defendant while acting with two other individuals grabbed W.K. as she was getting into her car. They were armed with guns and one individual threatened to shoot W.K. if she did not cooperate. They placed her in the back of the vehicle with one of the men. Another individual got into the driver’s seat and demanded W.K’s keys. They drove for a short time. Then one of the men blindfolded W. K. and bound her wrists and ankles. They then placed her in the rear hatch of her vehicle. The defendant and other men then drove to R.J. They all exited the car. The defendant and another man wore masks concealing their faces. One man, whose face was not concealed, was let in the secure door by the employees. Once inside he displayed a gun at S.C. and M. M. and allowed the other men to gain entry. The defendant stood as a lookout at the door. The other individual began to smash the jewelry case glass with a hammer. J.R. was in the back of the store. When he realized the peril of his employees, he exited another door and came to the front of the store. When he came face to face with the defendant, the defendant raised his gun. J.R. then pointed his gun at the defendant and shot him in the hand. The three men then fled in W.K.’s vehicle. They left W.K. in her vehicle in a nearby alley."

*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded guilty.